Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche für Fachkräfte mit akademischer Ausbildung beantragen

As a specialist with an academic education, you can obtain a residence permit for a period of six months to look for a job if you meet certain requirements.

You can obtain a residence permit to search for a job for skilled workers if you have a completed university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or comparable to a German university degree. You can have your degree recognized or determined to be comparable before you enter Germany (see further information).

If you are already in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment if you were in possession of a residence title for gainful employment or a residence title for the purpose of an EU study-related internship immediately beforehand.

If you want to pursue employment in a regulated profession, the required occupational permit must already have been issued or promised at the time the residence title for the purpose of seeking employment is issued.

Regulated professions are professional activities whose admission or exercise is tied by legal or administrative regulations to the possession of certain professional qualifications. Professions regulated in Germany are, for example, doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher, educator or engineer.

With the residence permit for job search, you can have a trial job, which the qualification qualifies you to do, for up to ten hours per week.

The residence permit is issued for up to six months.

• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Visa, if this was required for entry into Germany
• Current biometric photo
• Original certificate of successfully completed university education
• In case of foreign university degrees: Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree, certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) if available.
• For regulated professions: Permission to practice the profession or promise of issuance
• Evidence of livelihood security (e.g. equity capital, blocked account, declaration of commitment)
• Proof of health insurance
• Current certificate of registration
• Rental contract

In individual cases, the Foreigners Authority may request further documents

• You are in possession of a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and - if this was required for entry into Germany - an appropriate visa.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You possess
  • a German,
  • a recognized foreign or
  • a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree
• The object of your job search is employment as a specialist.
• As far as required, you have a professional practice permit or a promise for the granting.
• You are able to secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your own resources without claiming public benefits.

Issuance of residence permit: EUR 100,00

Notes:

• For the issuance of the residence permit in the form of the electronic residence title, which can also be used as an electronic proof of identity, additional fees may apply.
• The time and the form of the fee collection as well as the payment vary depending on the authority.
• Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be considered.

The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office.
• During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment).
• For the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card) your fingerprints will be taken.
• In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office, if necessary.
• During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is granted, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eAT card at the Aliens' Registration Office.
• The eAT card must always be collected in person.

• The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your visa or current residence permit expires.
• The residence permit is issued for a maximum of six months.
• Action period: 1 month

An appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office may be filed with the court specified in the decision.

• Residence Permit for the Purpose of Gainful Employment Issuance for Job Search for Qualified Professionals with Academic Education.
• Foreigners who hold a German university degree, a recognized foreign university degree or a foreign university degree comparable to a German degree may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment.
• Foreign professionals who are already in the Federal territory can receive a residence permit to search for a job if they were immediately before in possession of a residence title for gainful employment or a residence title for the purpose of study-related internship EU.
• The residence permit entitles the holder to a trial employment for up to ten hours per week, which the qualification qualifies the holder to perform.
• The residence permit is issued for up to six months.
• Depending on the foreigners authority and the request, the application can be made via the Internet or in person.
• A fee is charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The time as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.
• Responsible: the authority responsible for the place of residence of the applicant foreigners authority

Please contact the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

• Online procedure possible: Occasionally
• Written form required: Yes
• Personal appearance required: Yes